Senegal’s third voluntary national review showcases transformative decade of sustainable development

The face of Senegal has changed dramatically over the past ten years, with rural electrification climbing from barely one in three households to nearly seven in ten today. This remarkable progress was at the heart of the country’s third Voluntary National Review (VNR) presented at the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 13, 2026.

Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, Senegal’s Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, delivered the report to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which convened from July 7 to 15 under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council. The forum focused on coordinated, equitable, and innovative action to advance the 2030 Agenda, examining five critical Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): water and sanitation, energy, infrastructure and innovation, urban development, and partnerships.

Senegal joined 36 countries in presenting its progress this year, including ten from West and Central Africa. The country shared the spotlight with Cabo Verde and Italy during its review session.

From commitment to action: Senegal’s decade of sustainable progress

« Since our first Voluntary National Review in 2018 and our second in 2022, this third report marks another milestone in our journey, » Dièye told delegates. « This participatory process reflects our commitment to regularly assess our progress toward the 2030 Agenda. » He emphasized the contributions of government ministries, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, and the UN system in shaping the review.

The review incorporated innovative approaches, including alternative reports from civil society, consultations with disability associations, and Senegal’s first-ever Local Voluntary Review, conducted by the city of Pikine. These efforts ensured the report reflected the nation’s realities while fostering accountability and inclusivity.

A Voluntary National Review is a self-assessment conducted by a country to evaluate progress toward the 17 SDGs. Governments present achievements, identify lagging areas, and share lessons with peers. These reviews are a cornerstone of the UN’s platform for monitoring the 2030 Agenda implementation.

Key milestones in water, energy, and urban development

The progress in water and sanitation has been particularly striking. Access to clean drinking water now reaches 97.8% in urban areas and over 96% in rural zones, up from just 88% a decade ago. Rural sanitation coverage has surged from 37.5% to 64.5% since 2015, while urban areas saw an increase from 62.5% to 73.65%.

Energy access has also transformed lives. National electrification rates climbed from 62% in 2015 to 86% in 2024, with renewable energy now accounting for 29.1% of installed capacity, up from just 3% in 2016. The country aims to reach 40% renewable energy in its mix by 2030.

Urban mobility has seen equally impressive changes. The Dakar Regional Express Train (TER) carried 23.1 million passengers in 2025, a tenfold increase from 2015. The fully electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system alone prevents the emission of over 53,000 tons of CO₂ annually.

Challenges and opportunities on the path forward

Despite these achievements, challenges remain. More than half of Senegal’s population now lives in cities, where a housing deficit of nearly 500,000 units persists. Public debt stands at 116.1% of GDP, though domestic revenue generation has improved significantly, financing 69.7% of the national budget in 2026 compared to 54.8% in 2015.

Air quality in Dakar has also improved, with fine particle levels dropping from 35 to 21.8 micrograms per cubic meter.

Four strategic levers for accelerating 2030 goals

The minister outlined four key priorities to accelerate progress:

• Systemic economic transformation: Focusing on eight strategic sectors, territorial poles, and special economic zones.
• Water and sanitation security: Implementing the National Water Security Compact.
• Climate and energy transition: Advancing the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and scaling up renewable energy.
• Sustainable financing: Strengthening partnerships, including continued cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and developing a national transition strategy to graduate from the Least Developed Countries category.

Global dialogue: Transparency, migration, and shared progress

The interactive dialogue following the presentation featured frank exchanges with delegates and civil society. The representative from Gambia praised Senegal’s « unique and enduring relationship, rooted in shared history and deep family ties, » while questioning how the country strengthens transparency and anti-corruption measures.

Dièye highlighted the role of institutions like the National Anti-Fraud and Corruption Office (OFNAC), the National Financial Information Processing Unit (CENTIF), and the new Financial Judicial Pool. He noted that Senegal was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list in October 2024, a status confirmed in June 2026.

The Spanish delegation inquired about the role of the diaspora in development. « Well-governed migration is a lever for sustainable development, » Dièye responded. « Countries of destination benefit from migrants’ skills and economic contributions, while origin countries gain from remittances, knowledge transfers, and strengthened economic ties. »

The Irish delegation even took a moment to commend Senegal’s Teranga Lions for their impressive World Cup performance.

Concluding the session, Dièye reaffirmed Senegal’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda: « We remain fully engaged in implementing this agenda and will continue this path with the international community. »